Locker box assembly



p ,5, 1939- E. H; WHITAKER 2,172,266

LOCKER BOX ASSEMBLY Filed May 2, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z-bmefl WHITAKEE BY LOCKER BOX ASSEMBLY Filed May 2, 1936 8 Sheets-Shee+ P Sept. 5, 1939. E H wHlTAKER 2,172,266

LOCKER BOX AS SEHBLY Filed May 2, 1936 a Shets-Sheet 3 Sept. 5. 1939. 5 H, WHITAKER LOCKER BOX ASSEMBLY Filed May 2, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ivmvrve [me AZ/lfi/JJKA;

VflDeA/n Sept. 5, 1939. E. |-|v WHITAKER 2,172,266

LOCKER BOX ASSEMBLY Filed May 2, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Z? Sept. 5, 1939. H wm 2,172,266

LOCKER BOX ASSEMBLY 'Filed May 2, 1936 .ZVl/E/VTOZ [06/72 A idly/rinse Sept 5, 1939. E WH|TAKER 2,172,266

LOCKER BOX ASSEMBLY Filed May 2. 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 p 5, 93 E. H. WHITAKER LOCKER BOX ASSEMBLY Filed May 2, 1936 a Sheets-Sheet a Jvvavroz 62646 X. W/l/T/i/YEE 2y 2% irmemsr Patented Sept. 5, 1939 PATENT OFFICE 2,172,266 LOCKER BOX ASSElVIBLY Edgar H. Whitaker,

H. S. Van Alstine,

Waterloo, Iowa, assignor to Gilmore City, Iowa Application May 2, 1936, Serial No. 17,573

13 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in locker boxes and assemblies.

Cold storage locker systems are becoming rapidly more popular today and their set-up and operation will be briefly described in order that the objects and advantages of my invention may be more readily understood. In a room having a refrigerating system so that it may be held at a temperature considerably below freezing a plurality of individual locker boxes are set up in batteries or ranks and are rented to individuals for the storage therein of fresh meats of all kinds, each individual having a key to his own locker. Operating in conjunction with this set-up usually 15 is a custom butcher who will slaughter stock, chill and cut up the meat and place it in individual wrappings in the customer's own locker from which he may then remove it as needed. This is all done for a nominal rental fee which may readily be so low as to afford the customer a very substantial saving on his meat costs. In order to conserve space the locker boxes must be relatively close together while at the same time it is necessary that each be so constructed as to completely isolate its contents from adjacent boxes, while at the same time ventilation and air circulation through the boxes are obviously necessary. Also it is necessary that the boxes may be readily cleaned and sterilized as occasion requires. Since the temperature is held below freezing the boxes of course cannot be cleaned in the battery or rank but must be removed and taken outside for cleaning.

With the above in view it is the main object of my invention to provide a locker assembly wherein the lockers or locker forming elements are each collapsible and when set up or assembled are rigidly and substantially supported in a framework provided, but from which they may be readily collapsed and taken out for cleaning and sterilizing when necessary.

Another and important object of my invention is to provide a locker or locker box assembly or system in which the individual boxes are supported in a framework in such manner that each is spaced from adjacent boxes, thus providing for free air circulation around, through and between the boxes and at the same time isolating each box and its contents from the others.

Another object is to provide a locker assembly of this kind in which the framework and locker forming elements or boxes are all collapsible and readily set up on the job, thus effecting a saving on storage and shipping charges and mak- 55 ing for convenience in their installation.

Another object is to provide an assembly of this kind comprising a framework of collapsible form and including front and rear ranks or rows of frames or racks having rectangular openings, and a plurality of six-sided locker boxes or ele- 5 merits having their sides or panels so connected and arranged that they may be collapsed and inserted through the said openings and therein set up into box-like form, the frames then preventing the removal of the boxes until they are again 10 collapsed.

A further object is to provide an assembly of this kind embodying front and rear ranks of with aligned rectangular openings, and a plurality of lockers or locker boxes each comprising a bottom, a top, two sides, a back and a frontal door, these elements being in part hinged together and in part detachably connected so that they may be readily collapsed and inserted into the said frame openings and therein 20 set up in mutually supporting relation in boxlike form between the front and rear ranks of the framework so that removal is impossible except by entering and again collapsing the boxes.

A further object is to provide an improved 25 locker box construction in which opposite sides, panels or portions are so louvered that the louvers open upwardly on one side and downwardly on the other, to receive a downdraft of cold air and direct and circulate the same laterally through the box.

A further object is to provide an improved framework construction fora locker box assembly of this kind, the same comprising a plurality of rectangular frames each having upwardly extending studs in its intended upper side and sockets in its intended lower side whereby the frames may be stacked one above the other with the studs in each entering the sockets in the frame above, and a plurality of tie bars having apertures in their ends adapted to receive the studs and these tie bars being placed between the frames as they are stacked to anchor the columns or tiers of frames on each side and hold the same in spaced relation. 45

Still a further object is to provide in a framework of this kind means for anchoring a pair of ranks, rows or front and rear assemblies of so connected frames in spaced front and rear arrangement, the same comprising anchor rods 50 extending horizontally through both the front and threaded frames, these rods additionally into the rear serving at their frontal ends to receive the locker doors.

and hold Yet a further fied form of framework a plurality of chanin spaced relation, and a plurality of similarly formed cross bars extended horizontally between the uprights and secured thereto by removable locking keys.

With these and other objects in View the invention resides in the novel combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter fully set forth and claimed.

In the drawings:

' Figure 1 is a front elevation of a part of a battery or array of locker boxes constructed and set up in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged section along the line 2-2 in Figure Figure 3 is a perspective View of one section of the supporting frame alone.

Figure 4 is a perspective View of one locker door.

Figure 5is a itself set up in frame.

Figure 6 is a cross in Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a rod.

Figure 8 is a similar view of another frame tie rod.

Figure 9 is a fragmental cross section through a modified form of box showing my improved way of louvering the sides thereof.

Figure 10 is a frontal elevation of a portion of a battery or array of locker boxes of a modified form, only two boxes being shown, one with its frontal door closed and the other with the door opened.

perspective view of the locker the position it occupies in the section along the line 66 perspective view of one frame tie Figure 11, a central portion being broken out.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of one of the locker boxes as shown in Figure 10.

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmental horizontal section along the line Ml4 in Figure 12.

Figure 15 is an enlarged fragmental detail view in perspective illustrating the manner in which the frame of Figure 16 is set up.

Figure 16 is a fragmental perspective view showing a modified form of frame.

Figure 17 is a perspective view cross bars used in this frame;

Figure .18 is a fragmental perspective view of one of the vertical uprights used in this frame.

of one of the V entering the apertures 9 or 9a in the frame next rality of tie bars or links it in the front row 2 aligned horizontally with theframes ta in the rear row 3. Any number of frames may of course be used according to the and rear ranks. valley l5 of each frame is turned inward as shown.

To anchor the ranks 2 front to back I provide for 20 in the bottoms or sills la of said rear frames. In similar manner the upper tie rods 17 are slidably mounted through holes 2| in the centers of pulling through the apertures I 8 and for a similar purpose the upper tie rods i1 have eyes or loops 24a formed at their frontal ends.

It will be apparent that the framework or rack l thus formed may be shipped in very compact form.

For each opening A of the framework I as set up I provide a locker, locker box, locker element, or container designated generally at 25, the same being formed of a number of sides or panels so lows.

door or door panel 30. The said top 26 is made up preferably from sheet material of any suitable gauge and has hinge rolls or loops 3| formed along its lateral or longer sides and similar rolls or loops 32 along its rear edge. The sides 21 are each made up of a frame or grid of heavy wire, rod or strip including an elongated hinge rod 33 hingedly extended through the lateral hinge rolls 3| on the top 26 and vertical rods 34 welded or otherwise secured to this hinge rod at the ends and at the points at which the interstices 35 between the rolls 3| occur. Bridging these rods 34, extending from end to end of each side and secured in crossing to the rods, are brace or tie rods 36 and at the bottom or lower margin a metal strip or binder 31 is secured, the whole forming a rigid frame for the side which is then covered with screen wire, netting or other reticulated or perforated material 38 spot Welded at intervals to this frame. The back 28 is formed in similar manner of hinge rod 39 hingedly mounted through the rolls 32 at the rear end of the top 26, the vertical rods 40 secured to and depending from this hinge rod at the interstices 41 between the hinge rolls and the cross or tie rods 42. This back is likewise covered with reticulated or perforated material as indicated at 44. The lower margins of the strips 31 are turned inwardly and upwardly forming grooves or channels 45.

The bottom 29 is, like the top 26, formed in rectangular shape of sheet material and has at its longer lateral margins downwardly turned narrow lips 46. At spaced points inverted U-shaped brace beams or bars 41 are secured from front to rear of the bottom on its underside, these beams being in their vertical height only slightly less than the width of the aforesaid face webs 13 of the front and rear frames 4 and 441. Also the bottom 29 is perforated at spaced points as shown at 48.

The door 38 is, like the top and bottom 26 and 29, made up from sheet material to a rectangular size and shape somewhat greater than the opening A. At the lower edge a hinge roll 58 is formed to receive a hinge rod at the ends of which are exposed and hooked or bent at right angles as shown at 52. A slot 53 is out centrally near the upper edge of the door and on its inner side or face the door has a rectangular guide strip or bead 54 formed of small angle iron or similar material and of such shape and size as to nicely fit the opening A when the door is closed and seal this opening.

The shape and size of the top 26, sides 21 and back 28 of the locker is such that these parts will fit nicely within and between the frames 4 and 4a with the lower margins of the said sides and back terminating at about the level of the lower margins of the openings A through the said frames. The bottom 29 will then fit into the space between these sides and the back and with its marginal lips 46 resting in the channels 45 at the lower margins of the sides will hold these sides and the back upright while the beams 41 resting on the lower inturned webs 14 of the frames 4 and 411 will support the locker as a whole within and between the frames.

As packed and shipped the locker 25 has the sides 21 and back 28 folded flat against the top 26 and with this assembly lying flat on the bottom 29 and door 36 a very compact bundle is thus formed.

With the framework I set up as described the operation of setting up a locker therein is as fol- With the upper tie rods [1 removed the and back 28 are inserted in folded position endwise through one of the frontal openings A and raised until the top 26 comes to place at its ends under the upper inturned webs 14 of the frames 4 and 4a. The sides 21 and back 28 are then released and allowed to swing down to vertical position at the sides and rear of, and within, these frames after which the upper tie rod 11 of that unit is replaced and slipped back along the underside of the top 2'6 and through a prepared opening 55 in the screen of the back 28. This rod then holds these parts or panels of the locker in place. The operation is continued then by inserting the bottom 29 endwise through the same opening and sliding its marginal lips 46 into the channels 45 until the rear end of the bottom butts against the back 28 and the front end drops down inside the front frame 4. To remove these parts the foregoing action is simply reversed and it will be evident that both the setting up and the collapsing and removal of the locker is readily and quickly performed.

The door 30 is mounted by inserting the hooks 52 of its hinge rod 51 into apertures 56 pierced in the flattened ends 24 of the lower tie rods 16 which thus serve to hingedly connect the door to the front frame 4. The door may then be swung upward and closed over the frontal opening A until the eye 2411 on the upper tie rod [1 passes through the slot 53 and protrudes to act as a staple in which a padlock may be placed to lock the door against opening. To remove the door it is simply unlocked and opened and lifted out of connection with the tie rod ends 24.

Additional lockers may be inserted in any of the remaining openings A in the framework in the same manner.

The required free circulation of air around each locker as previously set forth is provided for by the spacing between rows or tiers of the lockers by the tie bars If! as described. Also it will be noted that the bottom 29 of each locker falls at the level of the lower margins of each opening A while the top 26 of the box below is spaced downwardly a distance equal to the vertical width of the lower member of the frames 4 and 4a falling, as the tops do, beneath the inturned webs of the frame below. Thus space is provided around each locker on all sides for the circulation of air.

Since the lockers as will be evident are each readily removable without disturbance to other lockers in the framework, they may be taken out when desired or necessary for cleaning and sterilizing.

The desirable isolation of the contents of each locker from all others is provided by the aforesaid space around each locker and for the purpose of enhancing this effect it will be noted that the locker tops 26 are not perforated.

The screen wire or reticulated nature of the sides 21 and back 28 provides adequate ventilation and air circulation through the lockers. As a modification however these parts or locker forming panels might also be made up of sheet material and louvered or perforated as will be understood in which case the frames or grids on which the screen was mounted would be unnecessary.

Such a modification is shown in Figure 9, the louvers being indicated at 51. Attention is directed to the fact that the louvers on one side 21 open upwardly as at 5111 while those on the opposite side 21 open downwardly as at 51b thus directing the downdraft of cold .air in the top 26, sides 21 room across and through the box as indicated by the arrows.

In Figures 10 through 15 I show a modified form of both the framework and the lockers, the former being indicated generally at la and the latter at 25a.

tween are used, the lockers or panels themselves bridging the space between and anchoring the rows together as will appear hereinafter.

The frontal rank or rails or headers 59 also of channelled or U-shaped cross section are mounted horizontally between the uprights 58 in vertically spaced relationship as shown so that these cross pieces with the contiguous portions of the uprights combined form frames for the openings A just as the frames 4 and 4a do in the framework construction hereinbefore described.

The connections between the ends of the cross pieces 59 and the uprights 58 are formed by ears 60 extended from the ends of the cross pieces and adapted to be placed through slots 6| out in the sides 62 of the uprights. These cars 60 have elongated apertures 63 and wedge shaped keys 64 are driven endwise down through these apertures 63 to draw the cross pieces tightly to place against the uprights. The-framework is thus readily set up or collapsed as will be understood.

The rear rank or row similarly constructed of 3a of the framework is course set up parallel to and behind the front rank or row 2a with the openings A in both aligned. The valleys or channels 84 of the ranks 2a and 3a are turned inward or in facing position as shown.

2517. as shown in these views each comprise a top or top panel 26a sides or side panels 21a, a back or rear panel 28a, a bottom or base panel 29a and a door, closure or front panel 30a as shown best in Figure 13, the whole going to make up a collapsible six-sided box for mounting in the framework la. The top 26a is of flat rectangular shape made of sheet material and has downwardly turned lips 65 along its lateral margins or longer sides and an angularly and downwardly turned rear end 61. The sides 21a are likewise formed of sheet material in rectangular shape and have their upper margins turned downwardy and then upwardly to form grooves or channels 68 which terminate short of the'rear ends as shown. At their lower margins the sides 21a. are turned inwardly and upwardly to form ilar to those on the sides 21 hereinbefore described. The frontal ends have flanges 69 turned at right angles toward the intended outer faces of the sides. 'At their front and rear lower corners the sides are notched out as at 10 and the rear ends from these notches upward are extended back beyond the outer faces of the sides forming inner and outer grooves or channels a sim- 83 if so desired.

stops or stop flanges 1i and 12 of T-shaped cross section.

The bottom 29a is, like the top 26a, offlat rec.-

tangular shape made up from sheet material and its lower margin adapted for sitioning with the rolls 73. A hinge rod 15 then hingedly connects the back 28a and bottom 29a as shown. At its frontal end the bottom 29a also has spaced hinge rolls or eyes 16 and the door 30a has mating and interdigitating rolls or top will form a flat, compact bundle.

In assembling this form level of the cross pieces 59 and 59a above the openings A while the lower margins due to the notches 10 will fall below and with the lips 46a running in the channels 45a. of the sides 21:: the bottom is pushed back until its rearend is stopped by the inner stop flanges "H of the sides. The back 28a is then swung up to vertical position against these stop flanges H and the top 26a is pushed back until the downwardly turned rear end 61 butts against the upper margin of the back and holds the same in place. The door 30a may then be swung shut to form a complete enclosure. The. door has a slot 53a at its top and center and each frontal cross piece 59 has a staple 8! at its center adapted to pass through the slots in the door to receive padlocks for looking the doors. the frame la the foregoing operations are simply without the use of any tools.

The sides 21a have louvers 82 opening upwardly on one side and downwardly on the other for circulating the air as described hereinbefore and additionally the back 28a, bottom 29a and even the door 39a may be louvered as shown at These various sheet material parts of the lock To remove the locker 25a from ers may be ribbed .or folded where necessary to.

increase their rigidity in accordance with the usual practice.

Other lockers may be set up in the same manner and as shown the thickness or width of the various frame members 58, 58a, 59 and 59a so space the openings A that the necessary air space 12a is provided on all sides between the lockers.

Figure 16 through 18 show a modified form of connecting means for a framework such as [a the uprights 58b in this case having single vertically elongated slots Gib in their sides where each cross piece 591) is to be mounted and these cross pieces being made of angle iron as shown. At each end the inwardly turned and horizontal webs Mb are cut away as at 85 and the projectings ends 86 of the other webs 132) are notched at their lower margins at 81. The ends 86 may then be inserted through the slots Mb until the notches 81 will drop down over the lower margins of these slots and anchor the cross pieces to the uprights as will be understood. This form of framework or the framework ia may be used to receive and support the form of lockers shown at as well as the lockers 25a and for this purpose eyed studs 24!) and Staples 252) may in the cross pieces 59 or 5911 in order to accommodate the doors 3i].

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided an assembly or set up in which both the framework and the lockers or locker forming panels may be collapsed and stored or shipped conveniently and may then be readily set up on the job. The construction is such too that the free circulation of air is provided for, each locker is isolated from the others and any locker may be readily removed from the battery for cleaning. In every case it is necessary that the locker be unlocked and the door opened before the panels or sides may be collapsed for removal from the framework.

While I have herein set forth certain preferred embodiments of my invention it is understood that I may vary from the same in minor structural details so as best to construct a practical device for the purposes intended not departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a collapsible locker assembly, a rear rectangular frame, an open frontal rectangular frame of substantially equal dimensions with the rear frame, the same being spaced forwardly of and in horizontal alignment with the rear frame, in opposed face to face relation, upper and lower tie-rods connecting the front and rear frames to maintain them in fixed, spaced relation, the forward ends of these rods being extended out through the upper and lower members of the frontal frame, a closure for the opening of the frontal frame, means for hingedly connecting the lower margin of the closure with the extended ends of the lower tierods, and means for releasably locking the upper margin of the closure to the extended end of the upper tie-rod.

2. In a collapsible locker assembly, similar rectangular frontal and rear frames spaced apart horizontally and aligned face to face, the frames including top, bottom and side member, the lower member of the rear frame being bored and tapped adjacent its ends, the upper member being bored and tapped medially, the upper and lower members of the frontal frame having apertures directly aligned with the tapped bores of the members of the rear frame, tie-rods passed through be secured the apertures of the members of the frontal frame and threaded at their rear ends into the tapped bores of the members of the rear frame, the forward protruding ends of the lower tie rods being flattened and apertured, the forward protruding end of the upper tie-rod being formed as a loop,

a door for the open frontal frame, the lower mar-- gin of the door having hooks registering with and adapted to engage the apertures of the forward ends of the lower tie-rods to provide a hinge mounting for the door, the upper margin of the door having a slot registering with and adapted to engage the loop'of the forward end of the upper tie-rod to provide means for locking the door.

3. The combination of a supporting means consisting of frames which have a plurality of rectangular openings therein, and a plurality of independently collapsible locker box members for forming individual locker boxes in the supporting means, the same members having inter-engaging elements and being insertable through the openings of the Supporting means and set up inwardly to complete the boxes, the said locker box members including doors for the openings of the supporting means through which the locker box members are inserted, which doors when closed serve to lock the other box forming members within the supporting means against'removal therefrom, the supporting means itself serving to separate and space apart the individual locker boxes, thereby providing ventilation spaces therein between.

4. A battery of individual lockers as claimed in claim 3 for holding food-stuffs, the side walls of said box members having means for directing air passing through the assembly into and out of the lockers, said means extending between the locker boxes.

5. In a system of the kind referred to for storing food-stuffs, a battery of individual lockers each comprising a number of collapsible elements including doors, said collapsible elements having inter-engaging elements, means for supporting the set up lockers in battery formation, said means having doorways therein, the locker elements being collapsible and removable in collapsed relation. through the doorways when the doors are open, and means for ventilating the individual lockers when supported in battery form.

6. A locker of the class described comprising spaced separable frame members, one of said frame members having an opening and collapsible box forming panels having interengaging margins to form a box, said panels in a collapsible form being insertable through the frame opening and having portions engaging the frame members and spacing said frame members and means to hold the frame members together, said box forming panels preventing access to: substantially all of said holding means when the panels are in assembled box position.

'7. A locker of the class described comprising a supporting frame-work including spaced frame members, one of which has an opening and collapsible box forming panels having interengaging margins to form a box, said panels being insertable in collapsed form through the frame opening and being expandible to a size greater than the opening, certain of the box forming panels being hingedly connected for mounting.

8. A locker of the class described having in combination with a supporting means including spaced frame members, one of which has a frontal opening, a collapsible assembly of panels, said panels having interengaging marginal portions and being adapted to form a box, the size'of which is greater than the opening, said opening being of greater dimensions'than the panels in collapsed form. Y

9. A" multiple unit'locker comprising a supporting structure which includes a rear frame and 'a' front frame, the front frame having an opening for each unit, each opening being formed by horizontal and vertical frame members, each unit comprising box forming panels, said panels having mutually interengaging portions whereby the box formed thereby is rigid, certain of said panels having portions extending beyond the opening to prevent removal of the box without 11. A locker of the type described in claim 10' h the supporting frame members consist member having horizontal and in Whic of a front rank vertical members, and a rear rank member'hav-' ing similarly positioned horizontal and vertical members, said locker unit panel members spacing said front rank and rear rank frame members within the openings between the horizontal and vertical members whereby the locker has uninterrupted horizontal and vertical channels for ventilation purposes.

12. A locker assembly of the knock-down type, which comprises a plurality of long and short channel shaped members forming horizontal and vertical frame members, which channel shaped locker assembly, said panel members having mutually engaging marginal portions and being inaccessible except through the chamber opening.

13. A locker assembly of the type described in claim' 12, in which the channel shaped frame members space the chambers formed between panels from each other on the top, bottom and sides so that there can be free ventilation around the chambers.

e EDGAR H. WHITAKER. 

